Sphere-supported pool suction head

ABSTRACT

A RECTANGULAR FLEXIBLE BASE PLATE HAS A HANDLE BRACKET AND A SUCTION HOSE COUPLING. A PLURALITY OF ROTATABLE SPHERES IN BASE PLATE SOCKETS SUPPORT THE BASE PLATE ABOVE THE POOL FLOOR. THE SPHERES ARE OF A HEAVY MATERIAL TO WEIGHT THE SUCTION HEAD. ALTERNATIVELY, HOLLOW BOXES ATOP THE BASE PLATE CONTAIN HEAVY MATERIAL TO WEIGHT THE SUCTION HEAD. THE SOCKETS AND BOXES HAVE WALLS WHICH RIGIDIFY THE BASE PLATE.

Dec. 14, 1971 W, D, BQND 3,626,535

SPHERE-SUPPORTED POOL SUCTION HEAD Filed Deo. 8, 1969 2 Sheets-Shoot l A 7' TORNE V Dec. 14, 1971 l w, D, BQND 3,626,535

SPHERE-SUPPORTED POOL SUCTION HEAD Filed DeG- 8, 1969 I?. Sheets-Sheet B ATTORNEY United States Patent O 3,626,535 SPHERE-SUPPORTED POOL SUCTION HEAD William D. Bond, Arcadia, Calif., assignor to World Industries, Inc., Azusa, Calif. Filed Dec. 8, 1969, Ser. No. 883,092 Int. Cl. E04h 3/20 U.S. Cl. -1.7 10 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A rectangular flexible base plate has a handle bracket and a suction hose coupling. A plurality of rotatable spheres in base plate sockets support the base plate above the pool floor. The spheres are of a heavy material to weight the suction head. Alternatively, hollow boxes atop the base plate contain heavy material to weight the suction head. The sockets and boxes have walls which rigidity the base plate.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to pool cleaning suction heads for cleaning s-wimming pool surfaces by a rapid intake of water induced by a pump connected by a llexible hose. The suction head is maneuvered from the edge of the pool by a long pole.

Pool cleaning suction heads conventionally have a substantially planar base plate from which the handle bracket and the suction hose coupling extend. The hose connection is central of the base plate. It is desirable to support the base plate above the pool surface being cleaned only a small distance in order to induce rapid flow of water in the vicinity of the base plate to remove from the pool floor and adjacent surfaces the settled extraneous material. The suction head should be easily maneuverable since it is controlled from a remote point. Preferably, the base plate is flexible to accommodate to the curving pool surfaces. Conventionally, the suction head is weighted to induce the head to stay in contact with the pool floor.

Previously suction heads have been made of exible thermoplastic material which is not harmed by the chemical constituents of swimming pool water. The base plate has been weighted with metallic weights, which have been relatively expensive because materials must be used which are also noncorroding in the pool chemicals. The metallic weights are troublesome in that they have hard edges which scar the smooth finish of the pool unless very carefully manipulated.

The wheels heretofore used to support the suction head base revolve about axles, giving freedom of motion in one direction, but inhibiting nonlinear travel of the suction head, which is often necessary to cover efficiently the surfaces of the pool.

The present invention overcomes these and other problems encountered with conventional pool suction heads.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention contemplates a pool cleaning suction head having attachment means for both a control pole and a suction hose. The attachment means are fixed to a rectangular flexible base plate open at the bottom adjacent the hose attachment. Base plate sockets receive a plurality of support spheres which project below the base plate. The spheres may be of sufficient weight to counteract the buoyancy of the suction head. Alternatively, weight boxes on the Ibase plate top contain pourable weighted material. The base plate sockets rigidity the base plate in certain zones. The boxes have side walls which r, ICC

The objectives of the invention are to provide a pool cleaning suction head of modest cost and reduced assembly time, with a nonabrasive exterior and low rolling friction to aid handling ease, and using inexpensive materials resistant to damage by the pool water chemistry.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a plan view of a pool suction head in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional elevation taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front elevation of the embodiment of FIG. 1 in use on a pool oor;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a transverse section along line 5 5 of FIG. 4; and

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary rear elevation, partly in section, of an alternate embodiment having different sphere retainers.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIGS. 1-3 illustrate an embodiment of the invention in which `a suction head 9 has a rectangular base plate 10 with a central suction port 11 from which a cylindrical suction hose attachment 12 extends upwardly. The attachment 12 is adapted to receive a suction hose 15 (FIG. 3) which conventionally extends to the suction side of a remote pump (not shown).

The Ibase plate also has extending from its upper surface a pair of spaced vertical tabs 17, 18 adapted to receive a control pole 19 in a manner to be discussed later with respect to FIG. 6. The tabs extend transversely of the base plate in the path of normal operation of the suction head.

Preferably the base plate is of an inert plastic material, such as polyethylene, and has a thickness giving it some degree of flexibility. In order for the suction pump to effectively educe a stream of liquid through suction port 11 and hose attachment 12, the spacing from the pool floor 21 (FIG. 3) of base plate bottom 22 must be controlled. In the instant embodiment the spacing is determined by a plurality of spheres 23, each of which lodges in one of eight downwardly opening hemispherical sockets 24 in the base plate at spaced intervals thereon. Each socket has an arcuate wall 25 whose inner wall surface 26 rests on a sphere.

Each sphere is kept in pl-ace by an annular retainer ring 29. The ring has an inner diameter defined by an annular wall 31 which is slightly smaller than the diameter of the spheres 23. Circumferentially spaced prongs 33 on each retainer ring project into small cavities 34 spaced around each base plate socket. The prongs are a press lit in the cavities and maintain the retainer ring against the under surface 22 of the base plate.

During usage the thrust of the spheres is against inner wall surface 26 of the cavities rather than against the retainer rings such that the press lit between the small cavities and the prongs is suflicient to maintain the retainer ring in position to hold the sphere within the socket.

The spheres are advantageous in maneuvering the suction head of the invention in that each sphere is free to resolve and move in any direction. Whereas the normal travel of the suction head is transverse to the base plate 10, there are times during the cleaning operation when .it is desirable to move the base plate in a longitudinal or semilongitudinal direction with respect to the base plate. Conventional suction heads using wheels on axles resist longiturinal movement and thus inhibit efficient use of the suction head. This factor of added friction becomes important when it is considered that the handle 19 by which the suction head is maneuvered may be from ten to fourteen feet long. Added to the lever arm of the handle is the resistance of the suction hose in the pool water. Therefore, the spheres importantly contribute to the maneuverability of the suction head. Either metallic or plastic spheres have proved usable in combination with the base plate described.

The suction head is generally used in water depths from three.to ten feet. In order to maintain cleaning contact with the pool surface, it is generally desirable to weight the suction head such that it seats upon the pool lfloor. Previous weights have been metallic, which is not only expensive because it must resist corrosion by the pool chemicals, but the hard metals have injured the pool surfaces against which the weights have been brought in contact iby manipulation of the suction head.

The present invention provides weight means which overcome the objections of both cost and pool surface damage. At the longitudinal ends of the base plate 10 are weight boxes 41, 42. Each box has spaced, vertical transverse side walls 44, 45. Longitudinal end walls 46, 47 close the box. Preferably the box walls are integrally formed with the base plate when the latter is molded.

Within each box is a weight material 48. The weight material may be granular, such as sand or tine gravel, and be poured into the box and retained therein by a isnug-fitting top 51 on each box.

While it is presently preferred to use an inexpensive granule, such as sand or fine gravel, to weight the base plate, it is contemplated that alternate weight means, such as poured concrete or molten metals may be used to lill the boxes to yfbias the base plate toward the pool bottom. In the case of poured and hardened material, the tops 51 may not be necessary, unless the nature of the poured weight is such that the pool surface must be protected against it by tops,

The desired volume of the box is in part dependent upon the weight material used. Allowance should be made for the fact that the walls of the sphere sockets may project into the box interior from below.

More than two weight boxes may be necessary, depending upon the longitudinal dimension of the base plate. However, in the illustrative embodiment, wherein the longitudinal dimension of the base plate is approximately thirteen inches, two boxes are suicient.

When added boxes are present it is necessary to keep in mind the desirability of llexure for the base plate along the longitudinal extent thereof. Therefore, the spacing between the boxes should be such that flexure lines are effective running transversely between the boxes. Care must also be taken in the spacing of the sphere sockets7 since the domed socket wall inhibits flexure in either longitudinal or transverse direction.

It is apparent that the side walls 44, 45 of each box rigidify the base plate in the transverse direction, as do the tabs 17, 18 of the handle attachment. Therefore, the configuration of the preferred embodiment lends itself to the objective of a suction head which is rigid in one direction but has flexibility in the other. As shown in FIG. 3, such exibility is advantageous at those portions of the poool where the pool floor turns upwardly to meet the side walls. In that ligure, the spacing between the base plate bottom 22 and the pool floor 21 is maintained by the spheres 23 despite the curve of transition portion 53 of the pool surface. The right hand portion of the base plate 10 llexes in that portion between the socket domes 24A and weight `box 41 sulliciently to keep the bottom 22 of the base plate spaced from the curving pool transition wall 53.

With the exception of the spheres 23, which may be of non-corroding metal or a suitable plastic, every portion of the suction head 9 with which the pool surface may be contacted, is plastic. If a plastic such as polyethylene is used, the chances of scarring the surface are restricted,

4 since materials such as polyethylene are resilient and smooth.

In the embodiment of FIG. 6, a base plate 10A of a suction head is supported above the pool surface by a plurality of spheres 23 retained in hemispherical sockets 24. Socket inner wall surfaces 26 rest upon the spheres. An annular ring 56 depends from a base plate bottom 22 around each cavity concentric therewith. The inside diameter of the ring is approximately equal to the outside diameter of the sphere such that the sphere may be seated in the socket. The sphere is retained in the socket by a metallic clip 58 which has an inner annulus 59 with a diameter less than the diameter of the sphere. Each clip 58 has a plurality of spring ngers `61 configured to spring into a concave retainer annulus 62 which encircles the depending annular ring 56 on its outer periphery. The spheres can thus be retained on the base plate after insertion into their respective sockets by the clips S8, which may be of a noncorroding metal.

FIG. 6 illustrates one means whereby the handle 19 by which the suction head of either embodiment is maneuvered may ybe secured to the tabs 17, 18 of the base plate. As can be seen in FIG. 5, each tab has an upper hole 64 through which a pivot screw 66 passes. A nut 67 secures the screw within the tabs and bears against a washer 68 which takes the wear which otherwise would be imposed upon the tab surface. Similar washers 69 absorb the friction caused by rotation of the handle about the screw 66 and added to the life of the tabs. Other similar arrangements can be used to secure the handle 19 to the suction head such that the relatively soft material of the tabs is not deteriorated by motion of the handle.

In each of the described embodiments the weight boxes may be integrally formed with the base plate of the suction head, as may the hose attachment and the handle attachment. The material of the spheres should be such that a low friction condition exists under water between each sphere and its socket 24. The weight imposed upon the base plate in the weight boxes 41, 42 should be sufficient to maintain the suction head on the pool oor despite the buoyant effect of the surrounding water and yet not inhibit the free movement of the suction head by execessive inertia of the weight.

Because of its ability to flex in the longitudinal direction and its freedom of movement, the suction head of the invention cleans -pool surfaces with a minimum of effort on the part of the operator. The spheres maintain the desired spacing between the base plate and the pool surface such that the water flow induced by the pump (not shown) is of suflicient velocity to entrain dirt particles which have lodged on the bottom of the pool.

FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate the preferred embodiment of the invention, in which a pool suction head 91 has a base plate 92 which is rectangular and made from a flexible thermoplastic material such as polyethylene. The base plate has a suction port 11 from which a cylindrical suction hose attachment 12 extends upwardly. The attachment 12 is adapted to receive a suction hose similar to the hose 15 of the embodiment of FIG. 3.

The base plate 92 has a pair of spaced vertical tabs 17, 18 extending from the upper surface of the plate. They are adapted to receive a control pole 19A such as the control pole 19 of FlG. 6. Like the base plate of the previously described suction head, means is provided to space the bottom 22 of the base plate from the pool Surface over which the suction head operates. In the embodiment of FIGS. 4 and 5 spacing is achieved by a plurality of. spheres 23 each of which lodges in one of eight downwardly opening hemispherical sockets 24 in the base plate at spaced intervals thereon. Like the previous embodiment, each socket has an arcuate wall 25 the inner wall surface 26 of which rests on a sphere. Annular retaining rings 29 keep the spheres in place in their respective sockets. Each ring has an inner diameter defined by the annular wall 31 slightly smaller than the diameter of the sphere. Wall 31 may be spheroidal or cylindrical. Circumferentially spaced prongs 33 on each retainer ring project into small cavities 34 spaced around each base plate socket. As in the previous embodiment the spheres are advantageous in maneuvering the suction head of the invention because each of the spheres is free to revolve and move in any direction. The operator of the suction head is thus not inhibited by sliding resistance of conventional axlemounted wheels if he departs from the plane of rotation of the wheels.

In order for the suction head to be properly manipulated under water it is desirable to weight the base plate. In the embodiment of FIGS. 4 and 5 the spacing spheres of the suction head also weight the base plate. Preferably the spheres are 1% inches `in diameter and have an aggregate weight of about 2% pounds. Since the spheres are largely surrounded by the sockets of the base plate, there is little likelihood of their damaging adjacent pool surfaces.

The spheres may be of several different materials depending on the pool water constituents and the desired weight of the suction head. In some instances the spheres may be of stainless steel, such as the sphere 23A of FIG. 5. Alternatively, it may be economically more desirable to use a steel or a lead sphere, such as the sphere 23B of FIG. 5, and apply a water-impervious outer layer 95 of epoxy or like material to protect the sphere metal from the water chemicals. In either usage the socket 24 and the retainer ring 29 do not preclude water from intervening between the circumference of the sphere and the inner socket wall 26 such that a lubricating film aids sphere rotation.

The retainer rings of the embodiment of FIG. 6 may be used with the embodiment of FIG. 4 if the base plate 92 is altered by the addition of downwardly projecting bosses or rings 56.

The sockets 24 rigidify the base plate in the zone of the socket. However, between each row of sockets the base plate of FIG. 4 is free to flex to accommodate to the configuration of the pool shown in FIG. 3, as does the embodiment of FIG. 1.

The embodiment of FIG. 4 is free to flex or bend to suit the curving configurations of the pool surfaces and has a freedom of movement due to the relative low friction of the support spheres. In operation the embodiment of FIG. 4 is similar to the previously described embodiment, maneuvering under the control of a long pole attached as shown in FIG. 6.

The embodiments described herein are illustrative of the invention which is defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A suction head for pool surface cleaning by means of a pump-induced water flow adjacent the head and comprising a base plate of flexible material and having longitudinal and transverse dimensions, handle attachment means and suction hose attachment means on the base plate, a central suction port on the base plate, weight means in part surrounded by the base plate so as to shield the pool surfaces from the weight means, a plurality of downwardly opening sockets in the base plate, spherical spacing means in said sockets, said sockets being distributed on said base plate to provide transverse bend lines across the base plate.

2. A suction head in accordance with claim 1 wherein the weight means is a plurality of heavy spheres residing in sockets in the base plate.

3. A suction head in accordance with claim 1 wherein a weight box located at each longitudinal end of the base plate surrounds the weight means.

4. A suction head in accordance with claim 3 wherein the box has a top, and the weight means is fiowable granules filling the box.

5. A suction head in accordance with claim 3 wherein the weight means is a weight material cast in place in the weight box.

6. A suction head in accordance with claim 3 wherein the weight box comprises elongate side walls transverse to the base plate, end walls connecting the elongate walls, and a top closing the box.

7. A suction head in accordance with claim 1 wherein the weight means and the spacing means both are comprised of the same plurality of heavy spheres.

8. A suction head in accordance with claim 1 wherein the suction head further comprises a sphere retainer removably secured at each socket such that each spherical spacing means projects rotatably from the retainer below the base plate.

9. A suction head in accordance with claim 8 further comprising a plurality of cavities around each socket, and a like plurality of grips adapted for friction t with the cavities projecting from each retainer at spaced points on the retainer.

10. A suction head in accordance with claim 8 flurther comprising a protruding annulus surrounding each socket, a circular concave Wall on each annulus vertical periphery, and a plurality of spring fingers on each sphere retainer adapted to seat resiliently in the concavity dened by the wall.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 429,657 6/1890 Spivey 16-24 X 3,046,583 7/1962 Drennan 15-l.7 3,273,188 9/1966 Levack 15 1.7 3,360,816 1/1968 Fontecchio 15-l.7 3,509,589 5/1970 Bond 15-1.7

EDWARD L. ROBERTS, Primary Examiner U.S. Cl. X.R. 15-415 

